title: Neurocognitive effects of aripiprazole in adolescents and young adults with schizophrenia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of aripiprazole has been associated with a positive influence on mood and improved cognitive skills and social interactions; however, studies of its effects on young schizophrenic patients have been limited to active symptoms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This prospective, open-label study investigated the neurocognitive effects of aripiprazole in adolescents and young adults with first and repeated episodes of schizophrenia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three of 42 schizophrenic outpatients aged 12-26 completed a trial of aripiprazole, and its efficacy was determined using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Clinical Global Impressions Severity (CGI-S) and WHO Quality of Life (WHOQOL) scales. Cognitive function was measured with the Cognitive Performance Test (CPT) and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) at 4, 12 and 24 weeks of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed statistically significant improvements in BPRS, CGI-S and WHOQOL scores in certain (but not all) subcategories of cognitive measures including CPT detectability and total errors and perseverative errors on the WCST. There were few adverse side-effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychotic symptoms and cognitive skills improved during treatment with aripiprazole in adolescents and young adults with schizophrenia. Patients with first psychotic episodes did better than did those with repeat episodes.
authors.affiliation: Chin-Bin Yeh, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center , Taipei , Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chin-Bin
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Yu-Shu
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ching-Shu
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Liang-Jen
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wen-Jiun
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Miao-Chun
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: Chih-Ken
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068180:Aripiprazole; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D015363:Quinolones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010879:Piperazines; D015363:Quinolones; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000068180:Aripiprazole